FOUNDER/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ciara founded the nonprofit Unite to Fight Poverty in 2021 after experiencing financial insecurity and seeing it reflected in her community. She currently works as the Manager of State and Local Government Affairs at the nonprofit Right to Start. Ciara graduated with a Masters of Business Administration at Arkansas State University, and the University of Alabama with a degree in Political Science and International Studies.. She’s published essays about identity, power, fashion, guaranteed income, and the wage gap in publications like Her Campus Media, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and Unpublished Magazine.

DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY/ HEAD OF PODCAST

Elizabeth Swindell serves as the Director of Advocacy and Podcast Host for Unite to Fight Poverty, where she focuses on combating food insecurity through advocacy, education, community engagement, and storytelling. Elizabeth holds a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Community Health and Epidemiology from the University of Mississippi and earned her undergraduate degree in Nutrition & Dietetics, where she completed and defended her honors thesis on food insecurity among collegiate athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with interests in advocacy and public interest law. Through podcasting, public speaking, and grassroots advocacy, Elizabeth is passionate about creating sustainable solutions to hunger and empowering communities to fight poverty together.

ADVOCACY & SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

Shannie has lived in Arkansa all her life, she is currently living in Conway, AR with her partner and their two daughters. Aside from working on the Advocacy & Social Media teams Shannie also spends time with other organizations. She is a CASA Advocate, a Citizens Climate Lobby & AR Period Poverty Project Volunteer and a certified doula! Along with her many extra curriculars, Shannie is pursuing a degree in Criminology and Restorative Justice at Arkansas State University.

POLICY TEAM

Cameron is a Political Science and Communications double major at the Shackoul’s Honors College at Mississippi State University from Pearl, Mississippi. He serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for MSU’s Student Association and is a volunteer at the campuses food pantry, Bully’s Pantry.

ADVISOR / FOUNDING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

As Unite to Fight Poverty’s founding Creative Director, Lily built the visual identity and brand that defines Unite to Fight Poverty today. She now serves on our advisory board, bringing her creative expertise to our growing team.